Consumer Briefs / BEVERAGES

Maker of Snapple sued over labeling

Cadbury Schweppes was sued by a consumer and accused of falsely labeling its Snapple juice drinks as "all natural."

Hemant Mehta sued London-based Cadbury in New York federal court, asking to represent more than 1,000 people in a class-action suit and seeking damages of at least $100 million.

The company markets Snapple drinks using slogans such as "made from the best stuff on Earth" when they contain high-fructose corn syrup and other "non natural" products, according to the complaint.

"The use of the term natural to describe such products creates consumer confusion, is deceptive, and detrimentally affects competing products that are actually naturally produced," Mehta said in the complaint.

Cadbury spokesman Greg Artkop declined to comment on the lawsuit but added, "Our products and packaging meet all legal and regulatory requirements."